Check out your tyres before caravan season begins

The caravan and camping season is just around the corner, and tyre manufacturer Continental has some tips on things to look out for before that first trip.

Inflating the tyres to the correct pressure and inspecting them for signs of damage is without doubt the first priority for owners of caravans, campers and trailers.

Tyre age is also an important consideration. Regardless of the application, experts recommend fitting new tyres every six years, and after eight years at the latest in the interests of safety.

Also, make sure that the tyres fitted to your motorhome, caravan or trailer are of the correct load and speed rating. For the popular off-road trailers and caravans, as well as overlanding campers that are used for adventures off the beaten track, a 4×4 tyre with a robust construction is recommended to handle the rigours of rugged terrain and reduce the risk of punctures and sidewall damage.

Before heading off on your holiday, check that the vehicle is not overloaded as a result of all the equipment, provisions, water or fuel tanks and cylinders on board.

Check pressures and inspect tyres
Tyres often lose pressure during the long winter break. So the first journey of the season should be to the nearest filling station with an unladen vehicle, where the tyre pressures can be adjusted with the tyres cold. Remember to check the condition and pressures of the spare tyres too.

Ideally, use your own tyre pressure gauge as there’s no guarantee that the gauges at the filling station are accurate or have been recently calibrated. Incorrect tyre pressures could lead to premature wear, overheating and a potential tyre failure which is the last thing you want when starting your holiday.

Be sure to repeat the process before returning home to avoid being stranded on the side of the road after your well-deserved break.

Always use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures, which will be listed in the owner’s manual or on the vehicle.

At the same time, look for signs of possible damage: missing tread blocks, indentations caused by stones in the tread grooves, abrasion on the sidewall or even bulges are all useful clues that can help to avoid nasty surprises after setting off with a full load. If in doubt, you should seek professional advice from a tyre fitment centre such as BestDrive.

Replace older tyres
Although there are no limitations on tyre age in South Africa, the rubber compounds in tyres degrade over time which impacts the safety and durability of the tyre. Accordingly, tyre manufacturers such as Continental recommend replacing tyres that are more than six years old.

It is the year of production that counts here. This is shown on one of the sidewalls, where a four-digit figure indicates the production date. The figure 2219, for instance, would mean the tyre was manufactured in week 22 of 2019.

The tyres of motorhomes, caravans and trailers age quickly due to the long time they spend parked up, exposure to direct sunlight and extended periods without pressure checks. Experts recommend replacing them after six or, at the latest, eight years, regardless of the remaining tread depth.

Avoid overloading
Road safety checks frequently reveal caravans and trailers that are overloaded. It is easy to understand why, as the free space inside is an invitation for owners to pack all the equipment and provisions they like.

However, as the available payload is both limited and further reduced by items such as full gas cylinders, water tanks and attachments, vehicles should be loaded sparingly.

Overloaded campers and vehicle/trailer outfits have far longer braking distances, they are more prone to tipping over when performing sudden manoeuvres, and the excess load could damage their tyres or even cause sudden tyre failure.